Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying in Canada

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Apr 15, 2023 03:10 AM

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In today’s world, pursuing post-graduation has become a very crucial part of a student’s academic goal. A master degree most definitely helps the students achieve academic competence and domain knowledge expertise. Pursuing a master degree abroad not only gives the students excellent quality education, but also global level exposure. Amongst many other popular countries, Canada has slowly but steadily evolved as a top choice for higher studies overseas. International students cope with both pros and cons while studying in Canada, like any other international study destination.

In this blog, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of studying in Canada in detail.

Advantages of Studying in Canada	Disadvantages of Studying in Canada
World-class universities and colleges	Tuition fees
Earn while you learn	Living expense in Canada
Demand for a younger workforce	Health care system
Post-graduate Work Permit (PGWP)	Low Acceptance Rate of international students to Canadian medical schools
A pathway to Canadian permanent residence	Climate

Advantages of Studying in Canada

World-Class Universities

Source : ST Media

There are plenty of reasons why international students choose studying in Canada as an option for their higher education. The most important one is the quality of education and training provided by the Canadian universities. Plus, a degree from these universities is recognized globally. The thoroughly experienced research faculties also provide students with ample pedagogic exposure and research opportunities.

You will never feel like an outsider in the country or in the campus, as Canada is one of the most friendly and hospitable nations in the world. Besides this, you will always be occupied by events, fest and other extracurricular activities along with your academic programs, which will help you increase your social circle and keep you from becoming homesick.

Safe Environment

Source : Pexels

When it comes to the peace, calm and friendliness, Canada ranks 6th among 172 countries on the Global Peace Index. Canadians are very culturally and racially welcoming in nature. The Canadian universities give utmost priority to the safety of all the students, especially international students. Hence if you have parents who are impossibly good at creating scary scenarios about what could happen to you, you should go for studying in Canada.

Earn While You Learn

Source : easyshishiksha

International students studying in Canada have the benefit of taking up part time jobs too. This helps them earn enough money to manage their monthly expenses and pay their student debts. International students on a study permit are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week and for unlimited hours during major holidays and break.

For off-campus part-time jobs students must fulfill the following prerequisites:

Should have a valid study permit

Should be a full-time student, enrolled in a registered university.

Should apply to a program that needs more than six months to complete.

In addition, students can also choose to work on-campus or do internships with an organization.

Demand For A Younger Workforce

There is a huge demand for young educated students in Canada, as they are considered to be essential for building the future of the nation. In other words, Canada wants international students to not only come to the country and study but also be a permanent citizen who can contribute to the nation’s development.

Post-Graduate Work Permit

Another benefit of studying in Canada is the post-graduation work permit program, which allows international students to work for three years after their post-graduation degree. The processing time for students from Australia, America and Germany is even less.

Graduates who have completed a two-year study program are eligible for a three-year post-graduate work permit, whereas students who have completed a 12-month study program are eligible for a twelve-month post-graduate work permit.

For more details, visit the link below:

Post-Graduation Work Permits

Disadvantages of Studying in Canada

Tuition Fees

Although the Canadian Universities provide a lot of financial benefits to the students , studying in Canada can still be an expensive affair given the strong value of the Canadian dollar.

There are however, scholarships for students from other Commonwealth countries, such as the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program which can make studying in Canada slightly more affordable.

Cost Of Living

Source : TechLum

The primary factor determining the cost of living of an international student in Canada is the city that they choose to live in. While major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are very expensive, cities like Montreal, Calgary and Halifax are quite affordable.

Living expenses may also vary depending on your lifestyle. Planning your expenses, part-time jobs, sensible spending will definitely help you in leading a comfortable life while you study.

Healthcare System

Canada is one of the countries with universal healthcare; however, it isn’t completely free. You have to pay monthly or yearly premiums to avail the benefits of the healthcare system. However, International students are eligible for free health insurance or the Medical Care Plan (MCP), provided they are enrolled for a course that has a duration of at least 12 months.

The only drawback here is the long wait time for some elective services, especially in big cities.

Low Acceptance Rate Of International Students To Canadian Medical Schools

Source : socasma

There is a reason why you don’t see many international students applying to medical school in Canada. Canadian medical schools do not accept international students and even prohibit them unless there is a special arrangement made by the government.

Canadian universities do not offer a bachelor degree in Medicine or Surgery; instead, you will have to directly apply to Doctor of Medicine program with the 60 credit hours you collect from an undergraduate degree. The program is distributed into two parts called the rotation, which is two years of pre-clinical courses and two years of clinical training.

Climate

Canada is spread over a large geographical area; the climatic condition of the region depends on the location. As the average temperature in summer is 35° C and winter is -25° C, students from warm countries might find it difficult to adjust during the winters.

At times, the winter may last for six months and the temperature may sometimes even drop down to -30° C. However, as mentioned earlier, it depends on your location and your ability to adapt to a new environment. Cities like Vancouver, Halifax and Toronto are some cities with warmer winters in Canada.

Extreme weather conditions can definitely be handled by dressing appropriately, by wearing layered warm clothing. Over time, with proper gear and winter clothing, cold conditions will become bearable for international students coming from tropical climates.

Conclusion

Like any other country, studying in Canada comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Carefully scrutinizing the reasons mentioned in this article will tell you that advantages definitely outweigh disadvantages. The cons or disadvantages above are a part of the adjustment phase that an international student experiences when he or she starts living in a new country. Prioritizing what matters to you the most will help you to make the right decision.